News

Children in Alabama are very familiar with tornadoes, but they may not understand hurricanes. Even if they've heard of Hurricane Katrina and the trouble she caused for New Orleans in 2005, that was literally a lifetime ago for them. If you're trying to explain Hurricane Sandy and her aftermath to your kids, here's a list of books that can help.

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White was published on October 15, 1952. It was named a Newbery Honor Book in 1953. It has been translated into more than 30 languages, sold more than 25 million copies. It was ranked #1 in the Scholastic Parent & Child magazine's recent list of 100 greatest children's books. It was turned into an animated musical in 1973 and a live-action movie in 2006.

Join us at California Pizza Kitchen for a flavorful FUNdraising event! Pick up an official flyer from any desk at the Hoover Public Library and present it to your CPK server on Thursday, September 27, 2012 (all day, 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.). 20% of your check will be donated to the Friends of the Hoover Public Library. Purchases include dine-in, take-out, catering and all beverages!

California Pizza Kitchen
At Riverchase Galleria (Across from Belk)
3470 Galleria Circle
Hoover, AL 35244
205.444.0777

September 19, 2012 is the tenth anniversary of International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Sure, a holiday devoted to talking like pirates sounds like a goofy idea, but I think everyone needs a little goofiness now and then. There are several ways the Hoover Public Library can help you celebrate. Obviously, we have plenty of books and movies about pirates. And, yes, there will be a list of some of the newest and best at the end of this post. But I want to focus on something you may not be aware of . . . Mango Languages.

Beginning in September 2012, the Hoover Public Library's Kid Zone will be hosting two book clubs per month. Miss Polly will lead Book Buzz for grades 2-3. Miss Katie Jane will guide This Just In! for grades 4-6. Both groups will meet one Monday night a month at 6:30 p.m. Read on to find out more information, and be sure to watch our commercials. Then call 444-7833 to register.

Our Local Record Labels Showcase is Thursday night and we're featuring some of Birmingham's finest songwriters. All four performers have performed in a variety of local bands over the years and are staples of Birmingham's club scene. This will be a unique opportunity to see them perform stripped down solo & duet versions of their songs. The show starts at 6:30 p.m. It is FREE and open to the public.

HENRY DUNKLE

PAUL JANEWAY & JESSE PHILLIPS

The Hoover Public Library was once again voted Best Storytime in the 2012 Parent's Choice Awards, sponsored by Birmingham Magazine and Alabama Baby & Child Magazine. All winners are listed in the May issue of Birmingham Magazine. Congratulations to our storytellers! Three cheers (wait, better make that seven) for Mr. Jeremy, Miss Shawna, Miss Polly, Miss Laura, Miss Katie Jane, Miss Traci, and Miss April!

Our award-winning storytellers are taking a break from our Weekly Storytimes until after Labor Day. But Summer Reading is fast approaching, so you'll have an opportunity to see them Dream Big soon.

The American Library Association (ALA) announced the top books, video, and audiobooks for children and teens at its Midwinter Meeting in Dallas, Texas on Monday, January 23, 2012. The full list can be found at this website. Here are a few of the highlights. Several library favorites made the list, but there were some disappointed Hoover Public Librarians this morning. How do you feel about this supposed best-of-the-best?

I know what you're thinking. You're running through all the things named Hugo that might be important enough to feature on our library blog. I bet you thought of Victor Hugo, author of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. You might even have come up with the Hugo Award, which recognizes excellent science fiction and fantasy every year. But I'm referring to the Hugo created by Brian Selznick in his groundbreaking, Caldecott Award-winning book The Invention of Hugo Cabret. Martin Scorsese has brought it to theatres, and it is getting rave reviews. Read the book first (of course you will), then take a trip to the movies and see why everyone's talking about Hugo.

The Son of Neptune, the newest title in Rick Riordan's Heroes of Olympus series, is here! And it's release offically kicks off a seven-day, coast-to-coast celebration called Olympian Week. The author will be making a stop at each of the seven winning cabins:
Hades = Columbia, South Carolina
Athena = Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Ares = Toronto, Canada
Aphrodite = Burlington, Massachusetts
Hephaestus = Mission Veijo, California
Poseidon = Tumwater, Washington
Zeus = Austin, Texas
Each cabin is a bookstore or library who submitted some awesome party ideas to win the contest. Congrats, guys!

Seven rhymed tales, dug from hard to find places!
Look for millions of Seuss fans with bright shiny faces! (from Kirkus Reviews)

The Bippolo Seed and Other Lost Stories features seven Seuss tales originally published in Redbook in 1950 and 1951.
1. The Bear, the Rabbit, and the Zinniga-Zanniga
2. Gustav the Goldfish
3. Tadd and Todd
4. Steak for Supper
5. The Bippolo Seed
6. The Strange Shirt Spot
7. The Great Henry McBride

These seven stories were hunted down by Seuss scholar/collector Charles D. Cohen, who also penned the informative introduction. The end result is a must-read for all fans of the good doctor.